UK Cannabis Grower is Jailed for 20 Months

By
Bury Free Press
on December 28, 2011

A Bury St Edmunds man caught growing cannabis at his home and who had amphetamines worth more than £5,600 has been jailed.

Daniel Shorey, 28, of Bishops Road, was sent to prison for 20 months when he appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday. He pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of amphetamines.

The court heard that police searched Shorey’s home on May 13 and found 235 cannabis plants in various stages of development.

When asked if he had any other drugs on the premises Shorey admitted that he had two bags of ampehatine in his fridge.

He claimed to be looking after it for another person whom he declined to name.

Shorey told police he had been growing cannabis using a rotating crop system but was moving to a hydroponic system as it was said to be more efficient.

Prosecutor Michael Crimp said an expert estimated that the plants could have produced cannabis worth between £90,000 and £150,000.

Shorey admitted raising the crop over the previous 18 months and had been earning between £600 and £800 a month.

Ian James, in mitigation for Shorey, said his client had been candid with police and had only gained enough money from the cannabis crop to cover his own outgoings.

Judge Rupert Overbury told Shorey: “This was a sophisticated, planned commercial operation from which you hoped to make gains, not insubstantial gains.”

A Proceeds of Crime hearing in January will attempt to recoup as much as possible from what he gained from producing and selling the cannabis.